Will Malonzo join PBA 3x3 draft?

MANILA, Philippines — Former La Salle one-and-done star Jamie Orme Malonzo looms as the top pick in the PBA 3x3 draft, tentatively set on Feb. 17 and he could send in his application because it’s a fast-track to the PBA without going through the requirement of nine games in the PBA D-League for Fil-foreigners.

Malonzo, 22, has applied to enter the PBA D-League draft on Jan. 20. He’s a graduate of Portland State and was eligible for one UAAP season. Malonzo made the most of his stint with La Salle last year, averaging 15.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 28.3 minutes in 13 games to emerge as the pro scouts’ dream discovery. The PBA will still determine 3x3 draft rules for D-League players.

Malonzo’s adviser Danny Seigle said the 6-7 forward, who’s a look and play-alike of Scottie Pippen, hoped to play for La Salle’s Eco Oil school-based entry in the PBA D-League starting Feb. 13. But since Malonzo has played out his UAAP eligibility, La Salle will not be considered a school-based team if he is lined up. If La Salle is not classified as a school-based team, it will disqualify players with only one year of varsity experience and incoming rookies to play in the PBA D-League under UAAP rules. 

Newly-designated La Salle coach Derick Pumaren intends to use the PBA D-League as a training platform to get the Archers ready for the coming UAAP season which the Taft school will host. It won’t make sense for La Salle if the Archers don’t play as a school-based team.

Malonzo will join Mighty Sports in the Dubai International Tournament on Jan. 23-Feb. 1. Malonzo’s enlistment was a clear indication of his worth as he teams up with Thirdy Ravena, Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano, Kai Sotto, Dave Ildefonso, Beau Belga, Andray Blatche and Renaldo Balkman.

Malonzo, whose mother Teresa is Filipina, averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds in two years at Highline Community College before suiting up for Portland State in 2017-18 and 2018-19. He averaged 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 26 games for the varsity Vikings as a senior last season. Malonzo played high school basketball at O’Dea in Seattle where Chris Banchero also saw action. Portland State was where two-time NCAA leading scorer, NBA veteran and ex-PBA import Freeman Williams played.

Two other former La Salle one-and-done players Keyshawn Meeker Evans and James Laput are considering to join the PBA 3x3 draft, too. The six-foot Evans, 23, averaged 15.2 points and shot 41.9 percent from triple distance as an Illinois State junior in 2017-18. The 6-9 Laput, 23, was born in Perth, Australia and played four years at Young Harris College, an NCAA Division II school in Georgia.   

The PBA intends to hold a 3x3 tournament in each conference this coming season. All 12 PBA teams will be involved but the PBA may consider expanding the competition to include more participants. The PBA Board of Governors will look into proposals on the 3x3 format during the annual planning session late this month.

Among the 3x3 issues to be discussed are when the first tournament will be launched (possibly, within the third week of March), how many participating teams, age parameters, eligibility of D-League players, elevation to the PBA (will it be after one conference?) and trade protocols. Those who skipped the PBA draft last month because they failed to play the minimum games in the PBA D-League or some other reason may apply for the 3x3 draft, leaving the door open for Malonzo, Thirdy Ravena and other varsity standouts.